LEND A HAND: Northgate council works to forge community spirit (July 13)

The Northgate Community Council held a neighborhood block party last week. The council hopes to hold more community gatherings.

Photo provided by Jim Taylor

By Lydia Seabol AvantStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 10:10 p.m.

A group of residents from the Northgate housing community in Northport hopes to help make the neighborhood stronger.

Together with Christ Harbor United Methodist Church and community sponsors, a newly-formed Northgate Community Council sponsored a neighborhood block party last week, something they said they hope is the start of many more community gatherings.

“They call this the projects, but it's more than that. This is our home,” said Ormelter Turner, vice president of the neighborhood's community council. “We want to help one another. We want people to know there is good going on here, not bad.”

Liz Moore, also a member of the community council, said that Northgate has changed a lot in the 31 years that she's lived there. It's a community where people care for one another, although she said there has been an increase in crime in the past year.

There are at least six residents on the community council, although Turner said they are hoping to get more involved. Upcoming plans include a possible back-to-school party to help distribute school supplies, working with Christ Harbor Church to improve the neighborhood's playground and possibly starting cooking classes for residents, tutoring for kids and financial planning classes for adults.

Christ Harbor started working with the community, which is part of the Northport Housing Authority, about four months ago, said church member Judy Taylor, who is working closely with the neighborhood council. The church's youth group started reaching out first to the neighborhood's teens, getting them involved with games. The women's group from Christ Harbor is working with the community council to help facilitate fundraising and help the community partner with area businesses that will benefit its mission.

“We want to reach out, to make it a family partnership,” Taylor said. She said she is also proud that the neighborhood's community council has recognized the importance of improving their community themselves.

To get involved with the Northgate Community Council or to partner with it in some way, call 205-344-3100.

<p>A group of residents from the Northgate housing community in Northport hopes to help make the neighborhood stronger. </p><p>Together with Christ Harbor United Methodist Church and community sponsors, a newly-formed Northgate Community Council sponsored a neighborhood block party last week, something they said they hope is the start of many more community gatherings. </p><p>“They call this the projects, but it's more than that. This is our home,” said Ormelter Turner, vice president of the neighborhood's community council. “We want to help one another. We want people to know there is good going on here, not bad.”</p><p>Liz Moore, also a member of the community council, said that Northgate has changed a lot in the 31 years that she's lived there. It's a community where people care for one another, although she said there has been an increase in crime in the past year. </p><p>There are at least six residents on the community council, although Turner said they are hoping to get more involved. Upcoming plans include a possible back-to-school party to help distribute school supplies, working with Christ Harbor Church to improve the neighborhood's playground and possibly starting cooking classes for residents, tutoring for kids and financial planning classes for adults. </p><p>Christ Harbor started working with the community, which is part of the Northport Housing Authority, about four months ago, said church member Judy Taylor, who is working closely with the neighborhood council. The church's youth group started reaching out first to the neighborhood's teens, getting them involved with games. The women's group from Christ Harbor is working with the community council to help facilitate fundraising and help the community partner with area businesses that will benefit its mission. </p><p>“We want to reach out, to make it a family partnership,” Taylor said. She said she is also proud that the neighborhood's community council has recognized the importance of improving their community themselves. </p><p>To get involved with the Northgate Community Council or to partner with it in some way, call 205-344-3100.</p>